On eMammal Lite you scroll through pictures of animals that were photographed at camera traps. You then have to use some context clues to identify the animal in the picture. You identify the animal by making a selection of one of three choices displayed next to the picture. Once you've made your selection you will be told if you're wrong or right. If you're right, you'll see a map that shows where the photograph was taken. If you're wrong, the photograph will go back into the rotation of pictures that you have to identify.

Applications for EducationeMammal Lite could be a good activity for elementary school and middle school students to do to practice using their knowledge of animals and their ability to use context clues.

eMammal Lite does offer the option to register for an account. Registering for an account will let you keep track of your progress. You can also use eMammal Lite as an unregistered guest.

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https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/598352600/0/freetech4teachers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Byrne)https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXh9SbgjxTI/XG8vKinhK8I/AAAAAAABf0A/xJHBjK1ZSqIxaRE6lpdqm4-0MAT8ZqgQgCLcBGAs/s72-c/emammal%2Blite%2Blogo.PNGeMammal Lite is an online activity based on the wildlife photographs on the Smithsonian's eMammal site. eMammal was previously known as Smithsonian Wild. All of the pictures on both sites were captured by camera traps. Camera traps are wildlife cameras that are triggered by motion when an animal walks in front of a sensor.

On eMammal Lite you scroll through pictures of animals that were photographed at camera traps. You then have to use some context clues to identify the animal in the picture. You identify the animal by making a selection of one of three choices displayed next to the picture. Once you've made your selection you will be told if you're wrong or right. If you're right, you'll see a map that shows where the photograph was taken. If you're wrong, the photograph will go back into the rotation of pictures that you have to identify.

Applications for EducationeMammal Lite could be a good activity for elementary school and middle school students to do to practice using their knowledge of animals and their ability to use context clues.

eMammal Lite does offer the option to register for an account. Registering for an account will let you keep track of your progress. You can also use eMammal Lite as an unregistered guest.

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http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2019/02/ten-things-you-can-learn-at-practical.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164418075266604275.post-3093443669367192089Thu, 21 Feb 2019 19:27:00 +00002019-02-21T14:27:26.764-05:00educational technologyhow topractical ed techPractical Ed Tech Summer CampProfessional DevelopmentTen Things You Can Learn at the Practical Ed Tech Summer CampThis year’s Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp is designed for two purposes. First and foremost, it is intended to give K-12 teachers, tech coaches, and administrators two days of hands-on learning about educational technology. The second purpose is to provide a professional development experience in a setting that isn’t a generic conference center or uncomfortable classroom in midst of a summer maintenance project. Check-out this post to learn more about the setting. Review the following list to learn more about the content of the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp.

1. Helping students develop better search skills. 2. Using augmented reality in education.3. Using virtual reality in education. 4. Infusing technology into outdoor lessons. 5. Making videos with students.6. Producing podcasts with students. 7. Interactive digital storytelling. 8. Crafting meaningful formative assessments. 9. Creating a plan to make the most of the technology you have in your school.10. Workflow hacks to free up time to take care of yourself throughout the school year.

This is a preliminary list it may be modified based on the interest and expertise of those who register. Speaking of registering, the super-early discount is available for one more week. Register in the next seven days to get in at the lowest rate.

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https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/598321358/0/freetech4teachers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Byrne)https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFn86AtUg_8/XG77V0bbNbI/AAAAAAABfz4/eZeYqNGTSOwInu9WrPYt5hVIKb1HERT0ACLcBGAs/s72-c/summer%2Bcamp%2Bbanner%2B2.pngThis year’s Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp is designed for two purposes. First and foremost, it is intended to give K-12 teachers, tech coaches, and administrators two days of hands-on learning about educational technology. The second purpose is to provide a professional development experience in a setting that isn’t a generic conference center or uncomfortable classroom in midst of a summer maintenance project. Check-out this post to learn more about the setting. Review the following list to learn more about the content of the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp.

1. Helping students develop better search skills.
2. Using augmented reality in education.
3. Using virtual reality in education.
4. Infusing technology into outdoor lessons.
5. Making videos with students.
6. Producing podcasts with students.
7. Interactive digital storytelling.
8. Crafting meaningful formative assessments.
9. Creating a plan to make the most of the technology you have in your school.
10. Workflow hacks to free up time to take care of yourself throughout the school year.

This is a preliminary list it may be modified based on the interest and expertise of those who register. Speaking of registering, the super-early discount is available for one more week. Register in the next seven days to get in at the lowest rate.

Related Stories

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http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2019/02/built-to-last-look-at-what-works-in-ed.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164418075266604275.post-6739206590134148363Thu, 21 Feb 2019 00:18:00 +00002019-02-20T19:18:33.753-05:00Built to Lasteducational technologyfree technology for studentsFree Technology For TeacherskeynoteSET-BCBuilt to Last - A Look at What Works in Ed TechSET-BC District Partner Conference in Vancouver. The title of my talk was Built to Last - What Works in Educational Technology. The purpose of the talk is to provide an overview of what makes some ed tech tools last for many years while others are just a flash in the pan. I was asked to give a ninety minute talk so there were a handful of "turn and talk" breaks during my presentation. The slides from my talk are included below and can be accessed here. The slides alone don't give the full context of the talk, but you can get a broad outline from it. Later this week or early next week I'll publish a longer post about some of the details of the presentation.

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https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/598175550/0/freetech4teachers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Byrne)SET-BC District Partner Conference in Vancouver. The title of my talk was Built to Last - What Works in Educational Technology. The purpose of the talk is to provide an overview of what makes some ed tech tools last for many years while others are just a flash in the pan. I was asked to give a ninety minute talk so there were a handful of "turn and talk" breaks during my presentation. The slides from my talk are included below and can be accessed here. The slides alone don't give the full context of the talk, but you can get a broad outline from it. Later this week or early next week I'll publish a longer post about some of the details of the presentation.

Related Stories

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http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2019/02/a-helpful-search-refinement-option-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164418075266604275.post-4025923593654600843Mon, 18 Feb 2019 19:52:00 +00002019-02-18T14:52:53.505-05:00Current EventsFree Technology For TeachersGoogle searchgoogle search strategiesresearch methodssearch strategiesA Helpful Search Refinement Option for Students Studying Trending TopicsEarlier this month I published Ten Search Strategies Students Should Try. An eleventh strategy that students can try when they are researching current events, trending topics, or any rapidly changing topic is to refine results according to publication date. In the following video I demonstrate how students can refine search results according to publication date.

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https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/597796588/0/freetech4teachers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Byrne)https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FZue7GiG_Dc/XGsLrxTelqI/AAAAAAABftk/cSIlZlHiQfcy57rUienAg53vLNKquT8FACLcBGAs/s72-c/magnifying-glass-145942_640.pngEarlier this month I published Ten Search Strategies Students Should Try. An eleventh strategy that students can try when they are researching current events, trending topics, or any rapidly changing topic is to refine results according to publication date. In the following video I demonstrate how students can refine search results according to publication date.

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http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2019/02/a-comparison-of-blogging-services-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164418075266604275.post-6041987435231594861Mon, 18 Feb 2019 19:03:00 +00002019-02-18T14:03:40.663-05:00authentic audiencebloggerBloggingEdublogseducational technologyfree technology for studentsFree Technology For Teachersstudent bloggingstudent blogsWritingA Comparison of Blogging Services for Teachers and StudentsThe Edublogs Student Blogging Challenge kicks-off two weeks from now. You don't need to be an Edublogs user in order for your students to participate in the challenge. If you're new to blogging or new to having students blog, Edublogs is a solid choice for a blogging platform. Edublogs isn't the only option for student bloggers. In this updated chart I compare seven options for creating student blogs.

At the bottom of my blogging platforms comparison chart you will see my final ranking of the seven services. Spoiler Alert! I rank Edublogs and Blogger as 1a and 1b. But take a look at the chart and see which services have the features that you want and need.

My YouTube channel contains many short tutorials on the features of both of these blogging services.

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https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/597791894/0/freetech4teachers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Byrne)https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GuYqcXO9_9w/XGr_TUcKBlI/AAAAAAABftU/FEY9W4vNrm8mlkFfQHToqhvOhnXYcqj_wCLcBGAs/s72-c/blog-793047_640.jpgThe Edublogs Student Blogging Challenge kicks-off two weeks from now. You don't need to be an Edublogs user in order for your students to participate in the challenge. If you're new to blogging or new to having students blog, Edublogs is a solid choice for a blogging platform. Edublogs isn't the only option for student bloggers. In this updated chart I compare seven options for creating student blogs.

At the bottom of my blogging platforms comparison chart you will see my final ranking of the seven services. Spoiler Alert! I rank Edublogs and Blogger as 1a and 1b. But take a look at the chart and see which services have the features that you want and need.

My YouTube channel contains many short tutorials on the features of both of these blogging services.

Related Stories

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http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2019/02/an-online-lab-for-learning-about.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164418075266604275.post-4940017864684720319Mon, 18 Feb 2019 01:30:00 +00002019-02-17T20:30:26.578-05:00elementary school scienceFree Technology For TeachersMeteorologymiddle school scienceSciencesmithsonianWeatherAn Online Lab for Learning About Weather Patterns and ForecastsThe Smithsonian Science Education Center's Weather Lab is one of many online learning activities produced and hosted by the Smithsonian. The Weather Lab is designed to help elementary and middle school students learn about weather patterns.

In the Weather Lab students select an ocean current and an air mass then try to predict the weather pattern that will result from their choices. The Weather Lab provides an overview of the characteristics of each air mass and ocean current. Students should use that information in making their weather predictions. After making their predictions the Weather Lab will tell students if they were correct or not. In the feedback given to students they will find links to videos for further learning about each weather pattern featured in the Weather Lab.

Applications for EducationThe Smithsonian Science Center's Weather Lab isn't the most robust online activity that you'll find online. That said, it is a good starting place for lessons about weather. I would have students use the Weather Lab to learn a bit about weather patterns then transition them to using real-time meteorological data to make weather forecasts for where they live.

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https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/597698418/0/freetech4teachers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Byrne)https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLASlTMvlAE/XGoJeVz9b8I/AAAAAAABfso/6Sv92L3u1mEgE7WguMsemBmsQYp6rJwWgCLcBGAs/s72-c/weather%2Blab.PNGThe Smithsonian Science Education Center's Weather Lab is one of many online learning activities produced and hosted by the Smithsonian. The Weather Lab is designed to help elementary and middle school students learn about weather patterns.

In the Weather Lab students select an ocean current and an air mass then try to predict the weather pattern that will result from their choices. The Weather Lab provides an overview of the characteristics of each air mass and ocean current. Students should use that information in making their weather predictions. After making their predictions the Weather Lab will tell students if they were correct or not. In the feedback given to students they will find links to videos for further learning about each weather pattern featured in the Weather Lab.

Applications for EducationThe Smithsonian Science Center's Weather Lab isn't the most robust online activity that you'll find online. That said, it is a good starting place for lessons about weather. I would have students use the Weather Lab to learn a bit about weather patterns then transition them to using real-time meteorological data to make weather forecasts for where they live.

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http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2019/02/presidents-day-sale-on-practical-ed.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164418075266604275.post-497585875195660420Sun, 17 Feb 2019 13:45:00 +00002019-02-17T08:45:55.087-05:00Free Technology For Teachershow toonline professional developmentpractical ed techPresidents Day Sale on Practical Ed Tech WebinarsOne of the ways that I keep the lights on at Free Technology for Teachers is through the sale of online training webinars on my other site, Practical Ed Tech. This weekend all of the on-demand webinars are on sale at 50% off. Click here to take advantage of the offer.

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https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/597641958/0/freetech4teachers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Byrne)https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQjJ4kTQDK0/XGlkR7KsIXI/AAAAAAABfrQ/yMramFEt7rA8uKB7iHL5O76lDbW0vh7awCLcBGAs/s72-c/presidents%2Bday%2Bsale.pngOne of the ways that I keep the lights on at Free Technology for Teachers is through the sale of online training webinars on my other site, Practical Ed Tech. This weekend all of the on-demand webinars are on sale at 50% off. Click here to take advantage of the offer.

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http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2019/02/whiteboards-valentines-and-adventure.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164418075266604275.post-141616347022956793Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:30:00 +00002019-02-16T09:30:03.887-05:00educational technologyfree technology for studentsFree Technology For TeachersMost Popular Contentmost popular postsWeek in ReviewWhiteboards, Valentines, and Adventure - The Week in ReviewGood morning from Paris Hill, Maine where the snow has stopped and the sun is shining. It's a perfect day to go snowshoe festival. That's exactly what one of my daughters and I are going to do as soon as I finish writing this post.

This week I had the pleasure of leading an all-day workshop for a fun group of teachers in Pekin, Illinois. The title of the workshop was using Technology to Engage All Learners. It was a condensed version of what we do at the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp. Speaking of which, a couple more people took advantage of the February discount for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp.

Now Booking Summer Workshops!Summer might feel a long way away right now, but I'm already booking my summer workshop calendar. If you'd like to have me come to your school this spring (I have two May openings) or summer, please take a look at my speaking page and fill out the short form at the bottom of it.

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https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/597525194/0/freetech4teachers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Byrne)https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXVhNYyJyPQ/XGgLLVvt_HI/AAAAAAABfoM/2xi8phYuiqYG-kh1ubmF6r-E_VL9jFhtQCLcBGAs/s72-c/IMG_20190215_080149_349.jpgGood morning from Paris Hill, Maine where the snow has stopped and the sun is shining. It's a perfect day to go snowshoe festival. That's exactly what one of my daughters and I are going to do as soon as I finish writing this post.

This week I had the pleasure of leading an all-day workshop for a fun group of teachers in Pekin, Illinois. The title of the workshop was using Technology to Engage All Learners. It was a condensed version of what we do at the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp. Speaking of which, a couple more people took advantage of the February discount for the Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp.

Now Booking Summer Workshops!Summer might feel a long way away right now, but I'm already booking my summer workshop calendar. If you'd like to have me come to your school this spring (I have two May openings) or summer, please take a look at my speaking page and fill out the short form at the bottom of it.

Related Stories

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http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2019/02/free-lessons-on-developing-speaking-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164418075266604275.post-1814933564868053566Sat, 16 Feb 2019 01:26:00 +00002019-02-15T20:26:33.690-05:00BBCFree Technology For Teachershow toskillswiseFree Lessons on Developing Speaking and Listening SkillsThe BBC's Skillswise website offers many good activities for learning and practicing skills in language arts and mathematics. A section of the site that could be useful in a lot of classrooms is the speaking and listening section. The speaking and listening section contains subsections offering lessons and activities to develop a specific skill. Those skills are listening for specifics, communication skills, formal and informal speaking, and giving presentations. Each section has a short introductory video followed by a set of quizzes and interactive games in which students test their skills.

Applications for EducationWhile all of the activities are good, the speaking and listening activities on Skillswise that I would be most inclined to use with students are the types of listening and listening for specifics games. The games in both sections require students to listen and follow a set of detailed instructions to complete tasks like delivering products to addresses, recording details of story, and responding to emergency situations.

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https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/597455108/0/freetech4teachers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Byrne)https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXqahXiex44/Ut6m4ed5ehI/AAAAAAAAjdM/8SA4hv8edVk/s72-c/skillswise.pngThe BBC's Skillswise website offers many good activities for learning and practicing skills in language arts and mathematics. A section of the site that could be useful in a lot of classrooms is the speaking and listening section. The speaking and listening section contains subsections offering lessons and activities to develop a specific skill. Those skills are listening for specifics, communication skills, formal and informal speaking, and giving presentations. Each section has a short introductory video followed by a set of quizzes and interactive games in which students test their skills.

Applications for EducationWhile all of the activities are good, the speaking and listening activities on Skillswise that I would be most inclined to use with students are the types of listening and listening for specifics games. The games in both sections require students to listen and follow a set of detailed instructions to complete tasks like delivering products to addresses, recording details of story, and responding to emergency situations.